Links and Documents

Professor Mark Priestley

Professor of Disability Policy

In addition to my research and teaching in the School, I am also Scientific Director of the European Commission's Academic Network of European Disability experts (ANED) and administrator of the international online discussion forum disability-research. I was previously Head of the School of Sociology and Social Policy (2011-2014), and Pro-dean for Research in the Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Law (2004-2007). During 2015 I will be away from the University on sabbatical research leave, primarily as Visiting Professor at the National University of Ireland Galway.

Research Interests

My research interests include international, especially European, perspectives on disability and public policy. I am particularly interested in research that links social, political and economic inequalities with the political claims of the disabled people's movement, and with methods of evidencing the progressive realization of rights for disabled people in different societies. My current research involves mixed and comparative methods, often involving policy analysis and indicator development.

PhD Supervision

I supervise a lively group of PhD students, whose research projects vary considerably but are all in some way connected with critical disability studies. My particular supervisory interests are in student projects that contribute to the understanding and application of disability policy, particularly in European or international comparison.

In addition to the research students listed on the right I also co-supervise Ana Laura Aiello.